Pupils will learn how to form, shape and join a range of materials including, wood, plastics and metals, using a range of equipment including CAD/CAM.

Exam Board: AQA
Course Title: Three-Dimensional Design
Course Level: GCSE

Course overview:
Three-dimensional design is defined as the design, prototyping and modelling or making of primarily functional and aesthetic products, objects, and environments, drawing upon intellectual, creative and practical skills.

Pupils will learn how to form, shape and join a range of materials including, wood, plastics and metals, using a range of equipment including CAD/CAM. Using these skills they will design and make products based upon design briefs.

Assessment
The GCSE consists of two components as follows. In Component 1 (portfolio) students develop responses to initial starting points, project briefs or specified tasks and realise intentions informed by research, the development and refinement of ideas and meaningful engagement with selected sources. Responses will include evidence of drawing for different purposes and needs and written annotation. In Component 2 (externally set assignment) students respond to a starting point provided by AQA.

This response provides evidence of the student’s ability to work independently within specified time constraints, realise intentions that are personal and meaningful and explicitly address the requirements of all four assessment objectives. To complete the assessment for component 2 there is a 10 hour controlled element, under exam conditions, which is the final stage of the externally set assignment, where they make what they have researched in response to the AQA starting point.

Grading: 1 to 9
 
Progression opportunities:
This qualification allows progression to “A” levels, further education and apprenticeships. The types of career paths available include product designers, automotive, engineering and construction trades.